Pre-Bell | U.S. Futures Dip; Gold and Silver Gold and ETFs Rally; Baidu Gains 5%; EKSO Soars 45%

01 Stock Market
As of Dec 30, U.S. stock index futures are steady to slightly softer across benchmarks. Dow futures were flat, while S&P 500 futures were marginally lower and Nasdaq 100 futures eased modestly, reflecting a cautious tone into the final trading days of the year. The setup suggests traders are balancing strength in commodities-linked plays against consolidation in mega-cap tech after a robust quarter. Liquidity conditions in pre-market are thin, which can amplify moves in select names.

Notable Stock Movers: Precious metals and select tech showed divergent pre-market moves. Silver and gold proxies advanced: SLV up 4.33% at $68.87; UGL up 2.90% at $57.87; and GLD up 1.51% at $404.60. Leveraged silver ETF AGQ jumped 9.29% at $181.89, highlighting momentum in metals. In semis, AMD up 0.37% at $216.40; NVDA up 0.16% at $188.52; MU up 0.82% at $296.79; and SOXL up 1.03% at $44.27. Among megacaps, TSLA up 0.50% at $461.94; AAPL fell 0.19% at $273.25; META fell 0.15% at $657.70; GOOG fell 0.07% at $314.18. China ADRs were mixed: BIDU up 5.04% at $133.20; XPEV up 3.32% at $21.18; NIO up 3.18% at $5.51; TSM up 0.45% at $302.27.

Traders flagged AI, EV, and commodity-linked momentum as key drivers of pre-market leadership. Leveraged tech proxies were subdued to mixed: QQQ flat at $620.88; TQQQ fell 0.06% at $54.46; SPY up 0.01% at $687.90; VOO fell 0.01% at $632.56. Select quantum and data-center names posted gains: IONQ up 3.29% at $46.74; APLD up 2.22% at $25.36; while PLTR up 0.33% at $184.79. Rocket and space-related RKLB rose 2.41% at $71.81. Overall, pre-market breadth favors metals and select AI/EV plays, while large-cap tech consolidates.

02 Other Markets

• 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 0.57%, to 4.14%.

• U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.04% to 98.09.

• WTI crude oil futures rose 0.36% to 58.29 USD/barrel; COMEX gold futures rose 1.69% to 4417.00 USD/ounce.

03 Key News

1. Masimo filed a legal motion seeking to enforce import restrictions on certain Apple Watch models amid a patent dispute. The filing requests customs enforcement to halt entry of devices featuring blood oxygen monitoring. The move underscores ongoing IP tensions and could affect product availability if restrictions are implemented.

2. UnitedHealth announced a governance change by forming a Public Responsibility Committee within its board to enhance oversight. The committee focuses on corporate responsibility and risk management. The appointment strengthens board structure and could improve transparency on public policy and compliance topics.

3. McDonald’s outlined a value-focused pricing initiative to attract budget-conscious consumers. The plan features discounted combo offerings and a coordinated marketing push. The strategy targets traffic and ticket stabilization as dining budgets remain pressured, aiming to bolster same-store sales.

4. Meta disclosed plans to expand AI infrastructure with a next-generation data center project. The facility is designed to optimize AI training and inference, improving energy and compute efficiency. The expansion supports scale for generative AI workloads and enhances platform performance for users and developers.

5. Amazon launched a reduced-price membership option tailored to young adults. The program includes core Prime benefits and category-specific discounts to broaden access. By lowering the entry cost, Amazon aims to drive cohort growth and increase lifetime value among younger demographics.

6. Citigroup engaged external counsel to review workplace complaints concerning its wealth management leadership. The examination covers allegations tied to personnel management and organizational changes. The bank’s process seeks to address governance concerns and maintain internal standards while business streamlining continues.

7. XPeng reported an insider share purchase by its CEO to increase ownership in the company. The transaction adds to the executive’s stake through an affiliated entity. Insider buying can signal confidence in operational outlook and capital strategy, potentially supporting investor sentiment.

8. Masimo initiated a separate legal challenge against a customs determination related to Apple Watch features. The action contends improper import allowances and requests judicial relief. The escalation intensifies the dispute’s legal complexity and may prompt interim measures affecting shipments.

9. A U.S. technology company faced on-site demonstrations over government-linked contracts. Local authorities reported arrests tied to trespass and property concerns. The event spotlights employee activism and potential reputational considerations for enterprise clients engaged in government work.

10. A U.S. bank evaluated leadership succession dynamics following internal reviews. The consideration reflects ongoing organizational restructuring and performance focus. External scrutiny could influence future appointments and strategic prioritization within the wealth unit.

11. Applied Digital to spin out cloud business, proposes business combination with EKSO to launch ChronoScale. Applied Digital and EKSO Bionics Holdings announced Monday they have entered into a non-binding term sheet for a proposed business combination that would merge Applied Digital’s cloud computing business with EKSO to create ChronoScale Corporation, a platform designed for artificial intelligence workloads.

Sources: Reuters, Dow Jones, Tiger Newspress, public market data
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only; not investment advice.